Week #114 Solo Hiking the Dales Way and Campervan MOT Time

After a trip back to Sandbach for our campervan Nelson's MOT, this week sees a parting of ways as Richard starts his journey hiking the Dales Way. The weather in the Dales has bucked up just in time for Richard's challenge, he was dreading getting out in the high winds, rain and unseasonally cold temperatures we had in April.

Campervan maintenance

It is always with some trepidation that we take our Nelson for his service and MOT. He is now 7 years old and has done 115,000 miles, which for a VW transporter van is actually still pretty low mileage.

We still take the van to the local garage in Sandbach that we have used for all our cars over the past 20 years. They are efficient, reasonably priced and when work has needed doing they will get the parts and have it done within a day or two - unlike the VW garages we had to use whilst the van was still in warranty.

Luckily, there were no big issues and we are ready for our next couple of road trips. We always worry that they will say there is some big issue that will need sorting and that the van would be off the road for a while - this would feel like a major disaster to us!

Richard's Solo Hike along the Dales Way

On Friday morning I dropped Richard off by the riverside in Ilkley at the starting point for the Dales Way, an 80 mile multi day hike that will take him through some of the most stunning scenery in the Yorkshire Dales and ends on the shores of Bowness on Windemere in the Lake District.

Richard has been keen to do this challenge for some time - it is pretty local to where we live and with us being early retired he could wait until the conditions were good. I think he is hoping that he will love it and it will be the start of something new - as long as he does not suddenly decide that he wants to do some of the long American thru-hikes like his hero 'Hippie'.

I will start with a more gentle multi day hike and have my eye on a walk across the moors to Malham, a nights camp at the lovely little campsite there - with a pint in the Lister Arms and a hike back the next day!

Richard will do a proper blog on the whole experience at some point but some photo highlights from the trip so far...

Day 1

The longest day, mileage wise with an 18 mile hike from the starting point by the river in Ilkley to the moors just above Grassington. The days route follows the river Wharfe through the beautiful Bolton Abbey estate, past the pretty villages of Burnsall and Appletreewick and a stop off at the Devonshire before finding a place to wild camp.

Day 2

Seemingly Richard had an early start as he messaged me at about 6.30am to say he was up and getting breakfast! The days route took him from Grassington through some of our favourite villages in the Dales including Kettlewell, Starbottom, Buckden and Hubberholme.

Day 2's campout was in the Stunning Yockenthwaite Valley. More famously known for the location of Helen's farm in 'All Creatures Great and Small' - which is also the farm that produces a well known luxury granola. We have spent many lovely nights in the Yockenthwaite Valley over the years and some quite surreal nights in the George Inn in Hubberholme.

It's been a long 2 days and even with all the regular hiking that we do, he has blisters on his feet and his legs are pretty tired. One thing we are not used to is carrying a heavy pack or camping out in a small tent after a long walk!

Jackie's mini adventures

Ilkley Moor

While Richard has been away I have kept pretty active too. After dropping him off on his challenge I went for a walk over Ilkley Moor. Richard always does the navigation on our hikes and I blindly follow where he leads so I thought I would challenge myself by trying to navigate a route of my own. I made it back to the car OK so I couldn't have done too badly.

To be fair I also knew I could turn back and follow my tracks and it was a really clear day and I knew I could just drop down onto the road and get back to the Cow and Calf that way.

It's great being able to get out mid week - the Cow and Calf is normally heaving on a weekend but I pretty much had it to myself.

Settle to Horton

With such a fantastic weather forecast for Saturday, I wanted to make the most of the day. I decided to hike from Settle to Stainforth along the Ribble River and maybe go for a paddle in the water by the waterfall. My initial plan was to go up past Catrigg Force waterfall and back via Langcliffe Quarry - a hike we have done a couple of times.

It was so beautiful along the river, everythig is so green and vibrant and the blue sky day certainly helped. Once I reached Stainforth, I decided to keep going up to Horton in Ribblesdale as it was the same distance as going back to Settle and it is just as easy to hop on a train back to Settle from Horton. This was new territory for me but super easy to navigate and relatively flat as it still followed the river for most parts. My Garmin watch clocked 15km exactly for the walk and has put me well ahead on my 300,000 steps a month challenge.

We have done a couple of hikes where we have got the train and walked between stations. The hike from Dent back to the Ribblehead was pretty spectacular.

The Northern Lights

Normally I am quite on the ball and at the first hint of the northern lights, I am out trying to catch a glimpse. Sadly this time I ignored the red warning on the Aurora App as I was already half asleep bed! I did go out on Saturday night for a wander but it didn't materialize. A lesson learnt.

Richard also missed it as he was tucked up in bed in his tent with no signal oblivious to the fact that he was probably in one of the best places to see it - the moors above Grassington.

I did get a nice night time photo on Saturday night - and it was a really warm evening to be out - so all was not lost.

Richard has 3 more days on his hike and I am due to pick him up on Tuesday in Bowness - I think he may need a few days to recover! The weather forcast is for torrential rain on Tuesday! I have a few quiet days to enjoy reading and watching Netflix.

Have a great week

Jackie and Richard